Title: Casual Initial Assessment and Planning Worker
Program: / Initial Assessment and Planning Team (metro)
Employment Agreement: / Social, Community, Homecare & Disability Services Industry Award 2010
Classification level/salary range: / As per transitional provisions in the Social, Community, Homecare & Disability Services Industry Award 2010
Plus superannuation
Hours of Work: / Casual locum as required
Tenure: / Casual
Location: / Position will be based at HHS (Metro) Office
52-56 Mary Street, Preston
Reports To: / General Manager - Initial Assessment and Planning (Metro)
Organisational Environment
Haven; Home, Safe is the leading provider of integrated homelessness and housing services in the Loddon Mallee Region and Victoria’s first registered affordable housing association. Haven; Home, Safe aims to provide shelter and support to people who are homeless or living in a housing crisis and works to provide communities with affordable housing opportunities.
Haven; Home, Safe expects a high level of commitment, quality, passion and energy and in return offers competitive remuneration packages and great benefits. We offer a supportive workplace culture, flexible working conditions, family friendly workplace, great training and development opportunities, Employee Assistance Program, attractive salary packaging arrangements and an opportunity to make a real difference within our growing organisation.
Our Purpose:
Is to provide those who are homeless or in housing crisis access to the support and resources they need to eliminate their homelessness.
Our Vision:
Is an end to homelessness, where everyone has a place to call home and the support that they need to keep it.
Position Objectives
Initial Assessment and Planning Workers are responsible for delivering a range of quality and professional services focused on housing information and options to clients who are homeless or at risk of homelessness; working within the Opening Doors Framework.
The initial assessment of clients housing, support needs and vulnerability using the prioritisation grid. Making referrals to appropriate support and housing related services that become available on the resource register and working with clients to develop a plan to secure long term housing.
All services will be conducted in accordance with Haven; Home, Safe’sobjectives, values, operating policies and procedures, government policy and statutory requirements.
Responsibilities and Duties
The Initial Assessment & Planning Worker has 3 key areas of responsibility:
- Direct Service
- Networking and relationship management with Support Providers and Key stakeholders
- Service Development
- Direct Service
- Provide a comprehensive service to people experiencing homelessness working within the Opening Doors Framework. Undertaking an assessment of their housing and housing related needs, support needs and vulnerability, including risk assessments where appropriate. Together with the client plan their long term housing options using a strengths base approach.
- Access immediate crisis accommodation for homeless clients via vacancies listed on the Resource Register i.e. Youth refuges, family violence refuge. Access alternative private and Community accommodation providers in the region as required.
- Make formal referrals to support agencies when vacancies are advertised on the resource register. Best match client to the resource vacancy and prioritise those most in need via principles of Opening Doors Framework as required.
- Make referrals to services outside the homelessness system as required i.e. Emergency relief, financial counseling, family services, drug & alcohol counseling.
- Provide an interim response to clients in the form of short term case management for clients who are in crisis and cannot be linked into a support service in the short term.
- Assess requests for financial assistance and provide financial assistance via Housing Establishment Funds (HEF), or other available resources where the client meets the eligibility criteria and funds are available.
- Assist clients where appropriate to access Public Housing via the segmented waiting list, or Community Housing applications.
- Implementing and adhering to HHS operating policies and procedures and other legislative requirements e.g. Privacy / Confidentiality etc.
- Networking and relationship management with Support Providers and Key stakeholders
- Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with various government and Community Agencies on maters arising from direct service work with clients.
- As approved by General Manager, be involved in networks with other agencies committed to working at a broader level to address housing issues related to people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
- Establish and maintain knowledge of local community agencies and relevant resources for IAP team and HHS as required.
- Liaise regularly with housing providers, such as real estate agents, community, public and private providers for crisis and long term housing / accommodation.
- Service Development
- Participate in the overall development of the service and in the development of policies and practices, to enable the provision of effective and efficient service delivery.
- Participation in evaluation of the service and the ongoing monitoring of client needs outcomes and satisfaction.
- Collect data as required and ensure maintenance of files.
- Provide regular reports to the General Manager in the format required.
- Fulfill other administrative tasks as required.
Delegations, authority levels and decision making
- This position reports to theGeneral Manager Initial Assessment and Planning Team (Metro)
Key Selection Criteria
(E) Essential (D) Desirable
Experience:
- Experience undertaking a comprehensive assessment of people’s housing and support related needs. (E)
- Experience dealing with complex and challenging client behaviors’. (E)
- Experience liaising and consulting effectively with various community organisations, groups, clients, and government departments. (E)
- Experience preparing reports on a range of client service delivery activities. (D)
- Sensitivity to and understanding of issues affecting socially disadvantaged groups including homeless people, people with disabilities and complex needs as well as people from a non-English speaking background.
- Well-developed written and oral communication skills and relationship management skills including mediation and conflict resolution skills.
- Well-developed organisational skills including ability to manage conflicting priorities and work in a high demand environment without affecting quality of service delivery.
- Good presentation skills, including ability to represent Haven; Home, Safe in range of external forums and with a diverse range of stakeholders (clients, government departments, other service providers etc.)
- Well-developed problem solving and influencing skills including ability to recommend strategies for resolution/service improvement etc. to management.
- An ability to adapt to changing environments and requirements including an ability to support others through the change process.
- A well-developed ability to manage own workload efficiently and effectively, with minimal supervision.
- Intermediate level user knowledge and skills in the use of Microsoft Office programs and Client Management system
Qualifications & Experience
- A formal qualification in related disciplines such as Social Workor other relevant qualifications are highly desirable, but a person having significant success and experience in a similar position is encouraged to apply.
- An understanding of the Community, Public and Private Housing sectors; in particular the various crisis, short and long term accommodation options available to clients.
- Knowledge of State and Commonwealth Government homelessness programs; including the Office of Housing’s Public Housing policies and procedures, the Segmented Waiting List application procedure and Community Housing Associations.
- A working knowledge of the Opening Doors Framework.
- A working knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 and other relevant legislation.
Inherent Requirements of the Position
- Successful appointment of this position will be subject to:
- Taking part in recruitment testing as part of the selection process
- Pre-employment medical disclosure form prior to commencement
- Undergo a Police Check and Working with Children Check prior to commencement
- All Haven; Home, Safe staff must hold a current Victorian Drivers License at all times.
- All Haven; Home, Safe staff must take responsibility for a safe and healthy work environment and have a commitment to equal employment opportunity and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.
- A sound working knowledge of computers and Microsoft office programs.
- A commitment to and respect of Haven; Home, Safes Values and Expected behaviors’
- All Haven; Home, Safe staff must participate in training, supervision and appraisal activities.
Approval of Position Description
Chief Manager
Name:Michelle Casamento Date:
Chief Officer of Line Manager
Name:Trudi RayDate:
Acceptance of Position Description
To be signed upon appointment
Employee
Name:Signature:Date:
Application Information
To be considered for shortlisting and an interview applications must include the following:
- Cover Letter
- A statement which describes your suitability against each of the key selection criteria detailed in the Position Description;
- A resume containing your contact details, summary of work experience, details of qualifications and education
- Referees – if required for an interview you will be required to provide details of at least three referees – ideally one should be from your supervisor and from your most recent employer and others a knowledge of your work performance
Email:
Posted or Hand Delivered: “Private & Confidential”
Human Resources Co-ordinator
Haven; Home, Safe
10-16 Forest St
PO Box 212,
BENDIGO VIC 3552
For any queries relating to this Position please call 03) 5444 9047 / 03) 5444 9039
Applications must be received before COB, Monday 29th May 2017
The successful applicant will also be required to:
- Be available as part of the interview process undertake the accredited APP – skills and abilities test and CPI 260 test
- Pre-employment Medical Disclosure – Haven; Home, Safe is committed to providing a safe work environment for all employees. As part of this you will be required to provide information regarding any pre-existing injury or disease which could affect your ability to perform the proposed employment. You will be asked to complete and sign a disclosure form prior to commencement.
- Undergo a Police Checkprior to commencement. Your suitability of Employment will be determined by any outcome that may be listed on this check. Please contact HR to complete form prior to commencement.
- If your role involves child related work then you will be required to obtain a Working with Children Check. This will need to be produced prior to commencement.
- If you do not already have a WWC Check Haven; Home, Safe will assist with the cost please contact HR as soon as advised of success in your application to ensure an application for WWC Check is completed prior to commencement.